Author: Karen Witemeyer
Rating: 4/5 stars/kisses/roses
This book reminded me why I don't read a lot of Christian romance. Preachy clean, not very humorous, and NOT Regency England. (If I didn't know it did, I wouldn't think Christian Regency romance existed.)
However, Hero was a blacksmith. The book was free for Kindle. Eh, I'll give it a shot.
Goodreads synopsis: Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets...
Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.
Levi's renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she's finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?
Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.
Levi's renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she's finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?
Heroine: Um, deluded, thinking education and refinement solves all brutish problems & pacifist. As much as I pride myself on my intelligence, talking doesn't always work. Otherwise, she's really nice. Tender-hearted. Learns quickly. Smart. Spunky. Typical Miss living in a man's world. Oh, and she's poison to flowers. She makes a fine press, but she's not allowed around them when they're alive.
Hero: Blacksmith. Accidentally killed someone. Spent time in prison for it. Came back to Jesus like a prodigal. Oh, and he has a lisp. He has a great vocabulary so he can avoid s sounds. Pretty likable even if he doesn't talk that much.
The Blow-Up*: I cut my romance teeth on Victoria Alexander. Her blow-ups are huge. It always disappoints me when a romance book doesn't have a good one, if it has one at all. In theory, you would think the blow-up would be when his secret past as a prizefighter comes to light. While that does create a mini blow-up, it's not the blow-up. I won't say what the blow-up is.
Overall: Kinda cheesy, but romance is supposed to be. Kinda preachy (okay, really preachy), but it's indicative of Christian fiction. Hero met Heroine, they connect, and go through some stuff and then they go on to live happily ever after.
I've reviewed 2, maybe 3 books this year. Why in the world did I take the time to review this?
I liked it, would even recommend it. It kept my attention and it didn't take me long to get through it. Overall, I was pretty pleased with it.
*The Blow-Up is the part in a romance book or movie where you don't think the hero and heroine will wind up together. It's also referred to as a Big Misunderstanding or The Big Fight, etc. It's at the end right before the Big Reconciliation.
The Blacksmith Thing: I have my own character who's vocation is smithing in my fantasy WiP. I have a soft spot for smiths.
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